Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-05-20
SCEPTICISM, LACK OF HOME IN
FLUENCE, AND CRIME.

FLUENCE, AND CRIME.
The increase of crime in France in the
last fifty years has been study for NOR
alists. The growth of scepticism has re-
ceiyed the blame for the greatest part OF
the increase. There is no doubt that this
has been the indirect cause. But lack OF
early home influence and training Is with
out doubt the direct cause. Scepticlsm
has weakened home influence over the
yonth and deprived them Of that early
moral training that is 50 necessary in
developing boys and girls into virtuous,
sturdy and moral men and women, and
from this has grown the great increase in
crime.
BUTT IS not alone in nations where scep-
ticism is predominant that crime Is lncreaS-
inc. In the United States, where the
number of churches is constantly on the
increase this unhappy tendency is attract
ing attention. 1t is an unpleasant fact
that among church going and Christian
people much less care is paid to bringing
up the youth in the way they should 20
than formerly. Especially is this true in
our towns and cities. Boys and girls are
allowed to grow up much like weeds. VIII"
can wonder at the result?
The Atlanta Constellation has this to say
that touches with force upon this subject,
and is worthy of thought:
Perhaps the number OF religiOniStS Is in
rreasipg because crsedS are broadening,
discipline is growing lax, and the require
mgnts Of religion are growing easier. M
merous churches may he either good or Il
bad sign. The First Napoleon SAID that n
great number Of churches in proportion To
the population indicated a low state OF
morals. The trouble Is that too many oil
our people grow up without any moral
teaching. In tit OF enthusiasm or emo
tional excitement they join church, but
IL is too late To cure the evils resulting
from their detective moral education. They
protrss a kind OF theoretical Christianity,
and continue devoted TO the world, the
flesh and the devil This defective con-
tingent may he found in every church, and
il Is sometimes large enough TO he a Serl-
Gus drawback. ID the lack OF moral
training. weakens those who are IN
the church it must necessarily work a
still greater injury to those who are out OF
it, In our Old-iaShiOned state OF society
there was something like family govern
ment. Children were taught to shun
termination, to love the right and abhor
the wrong. Bnt times have changed.
Parents hesitate to give moral lectures to
the precOciOusly sharp boys and girls Of the
present day. The young people 20 OIL ana
flock together, instituting something like
a boycott against their elders. II they
fancy bad books, had pictures and ways
that are dark, they will follow their bent,
and their fathers and mothers Will
know nothing about 1t until 1t Is too late
Ont of the ranks of these unrcstralned
Youngsters come in each generation
The men and women who are to lead so
ciaty and control business. Bright, world
". impatient of restraint, what can be cN-
Dected Ofthem. Until we pay more at
tention tn early moral training, our per
centage of crime will continue to increase.
Here is the weak spot in our civilization.
We must remedy the evil ut its starting
point. The religion OF this age will not
keep men straight when they have never
been taught the value of morality There
isno use IN CLOSING over these things
Our civilization is rotten, and the sooner
we realize it and begin the work of gen
uine reform, the better it will he for all
concerned.